Browning Maxus or Win SX3 Turkey?

[mossyoakpro]

Hey folks,

It looks like I am gonna be able to get another gun soon and I am asking for some real life opinions from people who have experience with the Browning Maxus or the Winchester SX3....it will be used solely for a turkey gun for when I feel the need to carry a 12 gauge.

The SX3 model that I am most interested in is the NWTF cantilever model with the 24" barrel....I think the only barrel the Maxus comes with is the 26" if I was reading correctly.

No bashing please just some pointers on either of these 2 guns.....thanks in advance!!!

[VAarrowslinger]

If I were buying a new 12 right now it would be the SX3 nwtf edition with the cantilever barrel .

[allaboutshooting]

I own the standard SX3 with a 28" barrel and have spent lot of range time with the Maxus. I was fortunate enough to spend a day with the design engineer for both of those guns and shot the Maxus at a "day at the range" at the SHOT Show when it was first introduced.

They are both very fine guns. They share the Invector+ barrel but the Maxus has the longer forcing cone and a few other innovations not found on the SX3.

Both guns are exceptionally light and easy to carry. They are also "soft shooting" but both will let you know that you're shooting a full power turkey load. A 3" shell is plenty to shoot in either one.

If I had to choose one, I'd pick the one that felt better in my hands and came to my shoulder best.

I don't think you'd go wrong with either and I would not let the longer barrel be a factor in you decision. As light and maneuverable as these guns are, I've not found the longer barrels to get in the way.

Thanks,
Clark

[mossyoakpro]

Thanks for the replies thus far!!

[kwild835]

Can't go wrong here.  I would pick them both up and see which one felt better to you.  I have a Maxus that I use for everything and it throws awesome patterns with TSS and Hevishot.  If I were getting one strictly to hunt turkeys with I would probably go with the SX3 NWTF in 20 gauge.  It would be a sweet set up with TSS or Fed HWT's.

[CrustyRusty]

Fit and feel are the best way to determine which of these guns you like best.  When I was shopping earlier this year for my new turkeyslayer, I picked up both of thse guns and liked the feel of the Maxus best.  I have no regrets.  It balanced perfectly for me and "came up" just right.  It is light and well balanced and is by far the best patterning shotgun that I have ever owned.  I will use it for predator hunting also but havent patterned it yet for that.

I have the All Purpose model that is drilled and tapped and has a 26 inch barrel.  Just to let you know however, that there is only ONE scope base for that gun and it is made by Browning.  It is a weaver base that is only suitable for tube type red dot scopes or a regular shotgun scope because of the design of the base.  That annoys me but I wound up just using the front Hiviz magnetic bead that came with my Maxus and am glad I did becuase it is nice not having to worry about optics.  The gun is so light and sleek and comes up perfectly that it makes sense to just use the front sight.

Its an excellent shotgun, is as light as most 20 gauges(even lighter than my 20ga BPS) and still has a 12 ga. payload.  Cant go wrong either way though.  Good luck...

[Gold Spur]

They are both awesome guns. I have to agree with the other guys about which one fits you best. They both use Invector Plus chokes, which will pattern great with a variety of loads. I use a Indian Creek .665 in my Browning Gold with  a 24" barrel and it patterns awesome.